Planting and care
How to grow oregano
Warm season · Herbaceous perennial
Rooted nursery transplant or division
12–24 in tall and spreading
Light sprig harvest about 30–60 days after transplant once new growth is strong; allow the first season for establishment.
Light feeder
Compact Herb
How to prune
Pinch leafy stem tips to branch; cut flower stems back to leafy growth after flowering. Thin crowded stems in spring and remove dead growth without scalping the crown.
How to harvest
Snip small leafy sprigs with clean scissors after dew dries. Take no more than about one-third of growth at once and leave healthy green foliage on every retained branch.
Harvest and kitchen use
Fresh or dried leaves for tomato dishes, pizza and Mediterranean cooking.
Nutrition and garden value
Aromatic herbs provide flavor and small amounts of vitamins/phytonutrients
High customer value in small space; flowers on many herbs support pollinators/beneficial insects
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Bolting, winter injury or root rot varies by herb